BCC speaks tough on unlicensed businesses

The Blantyre City Council (BCC) is threatening to close down all business entities that do not have licenses or fail to start processes for new a license by March 20.

Business premises licensing activities are done frequently for the council to check on illegal trading activities, compliance with various legal provisions.

These include the Town Planning regulation as well as hygiene and safety in compliance with the provisions of the health and safety regulations.

Addressing the press earlier this week, the Council’s Assistant Director of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Benson Chirwa said, they want to ensure that traders are doing their businesses legally.

“We would want to remind the business community that their business premises licences for the current year (2022/2023) are expiring on 31^st March 2023.”

He also added that; “Effective 20 March 2023 all businesses operating without a licence will be closed. Business owners are therefore encouraged to make arrangements to have their licences renewed in order not to disrupt their operations.”

While calling for adherence to licence obligations, the council continues to be pressured over poor waste management in the city.

In response to the growing concerns of increased unhygienic conditions in most parts of the city, the BCC has expressed commitment towards improving the business environment in the CBD.

Chirwa has since revealed that with support from the World Bank, the council is purchasing compactors to help in waste management.